On April 1 the Australian armed forces overthrow the government. Stunned world leaders fail to react. By the time everyone realises it's not an April Fool's joke, Australia's armed forces under Captain David Clark are in control. Fred is a down-to-earth orange farmer in Dural, near Sydney, and Fred dotes on his foul-beaked pet galah. Eve is an internationally renowned portrait painter who never makes a decision without consulting her tarot cards. The couple don't have much in common but are ideally physically suited. The coup catches the lovers by surprise when the rebels approach Fred to do their public relations. Fred rises to the occasion but Eve smells the acrid cordite fumes of a firing squad. Fred is not daunted - this is Australia,. who's going to shoot him? The death penalty is reintroduced - in a novel and bloodless form. Crime and drugs are down, employment is up. Male immigrants who exploit the country that gave them a chance to make a good living are parachuted over their country of origin. Australia gets to like Captain Clark and his clique very quickly.  But for some world leaders the April Coup has gone too far - these scandal free army upstarts are making a mockery of highly paid politicians. The CIA move in - and Eve's card warn her that Fred is living on borrowed time...